Riverstown native’s 70 year loyalty to Fianna Fáil party

Frank Gildea, a resident of Ballynarry, Riverstown, was recently honoured for his dedication and voluntary work with Fianna Fáil for over 70 years.

The recognition came in the form of a presentation of a piece of crystal by European Midlands/North West party election candidate, Senator Niall Blaney, in front of a large crowd at Tommy Mac’s, Riverstown.

Senator Blaney praised Frank for his unwavering commitment to the party and highlighted the crucial role that volunteers play in ensuring that politics remains deeply rooted in local communities.

Frank’s contributions have been invaluable, having supported and canvassed for numerous local, general, and European candidates, including five TDs in his local area.

Despite his long service, Frank remains as enthusiastic as ever, planning to offer his support for the upcoming local and European elections on June 7 th.

The award, originally presented at the national Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, was a testament to Frank’s remarkable dedication, and local Fianna Fáil party activists were keen to acknowledge his outstanding contribution and celebrate his success at the grassroots level.

88-year-old Frank told The Sligo Champion that he was proud to have been involved with Fianna Fail since he was an 18-year-old back in 1954.

“I suppose 70 years is a long time to be involved with the party and I have seen them all come and go.

“I remember Jim Gallagher TD in the mid 1950s and I campaigned with him all over the place.

“My father was a great Fianna Fail man so it was very much in the blood.”

He added: “Back in the 1960s when there was an election on I used to drive people to the polling stations no matter whether they were Fianna Fail or Fine Gael.

“Some of the Fine Gael ones would travel in the car with me but the dedicated ones would not.”

In later years Frank was a staunch campaigner for former TD Mattie Brennan and he has met many of the leading figures in the party.

Frank lives on the shores of Lough Arrow in a scenic spot and he was a radio officer for the first part of his life at sea.

“I was working with the Marconi Radio Company and I enjoyed it and I travelled around the world for seven years.”

After that he worked as an auctioneer in Riverstown. When asked how he found this very different occupation, he said: “It was quiet enough, but I survived. You need to be a bit of a wheeler dealer, but I wasn’t tough enough for that,” he quipped.

“I spent over 30 years at the auctioneering and I got to know a fair bit of the county in my time.”

But Frank is less than happy with the growing cynicism towards politicians in recent years.

“I think it is not right the abuse they get these days and it is keeping good people from going forward forward for the job and it is worse it is getting lately.”

Martin Baker has stood down as the local Fianna Fail representative and Frank paid him a heartfelt tribute.

“Yes, he was a very good man and I am glad to see him out canvassing now with Liam Brennan who is standing for the party in this area.”

Frank has met with previous Fianna Fail leaders like Charlie Haughey and Bertie Ahern.

And he does not hold back in his assessment of both famous political figures.

“Charlie Haughey was full of plamas and Bertie Ahern was cute.”

Frank added that none of the main parties are as popular as they were and believes that if Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens stick together they will stay in power after the next general election.